HVAC Installers

[mikester]

Anyone on the forum work with HVAC ?
Back in 2000 I had AC installed for the second story of my house. It was a combination AC/hot air system. Air handler has a hot water coil fed off my boiler. The installer was the brother of one of my long time coworkers. He went on to install the Modine heater in my garage and also did the AC for my main floor. Never had an issue with anything he did.
Back in September 2015 the unit outside had an issue. The bottom rotted out so he came and replaced it with a new unit. Its a Rheem. The original setup was a Fridgidaire 2 ton 10 seer. For some reason he replaced it with a 1 1/2 ton high efficiency instead. According to him it would be a better setup. He didnt replace the air handler, just the outside unit. Whatever thats called. Compressor, condensor ? Im not an AC guy.
Ever since he changed it the upstairs never gets as cool as the old setup. Ive had him here twice. Always some BS excuse. Its too hot for the upstairs to cool off. We set the thermostat too low. Sun beating down on the roof (its a finished attic). Im thinking hes full of crap since the old setup cooled it without no problem at all.
So my question... did he screw it up by putting the smaller hi efficiency unit in ?

 

[ck80]

Not an ac but, but my brother in law is so I've heard more ac shop talk than I'd ever wanted/expected.

If you know a guy who does free estimates (or two) see if someone will do a load calculation for you.

It's hard to say without someone in person, but, a good ac guy looks at the rest of what's going on. If you removed trees (or a neighbor did) then you're going to need a heavier ton unit since when they calculate they account for shade on the roof and such.

Similarly, if any updates to the house had other alterations it can effect things. For example, code has waffled on the envelope for the house. Back in the 80s or earlier, they didn't place a lot of stock on outside air getting into the house, just insulate and let it draft. Late 2000s they said seal and wrap everything tights, keep that outside air out for efficiency! Now, they found having less air circulate in and out of homes is less healthy. So if a house is too sealed up they go back and add a fan to introduce outside air into the home.

Long way of saying if your home recently had one of those added like everything else, each little thing changes things.

I'm surprised at the drop in tonnage, regardless of high efficiency. I also wonder if the new unit runs a different coolant and the coils in the handler don't exchange it as efficiently. Think 134a vs 12 in a gbody if you don't swap your condenser....

Seems strange to just swap half of it and to a smaller unit. I'm assuming it's also not a heat pump, which, don't blow as hot or cool as a traditional unit anyways out the vents which could also play a role.

Not sure what all that drivel is worth to you, but, around here the bigger chains give free estimates. Doesn't hurt for a couple places to give their opinions and quotes since, if something IS awry then I'd guess you plan on changes anyways??